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The effects of a sleep/recovery supplement: 'Night Time Recharge' on sleep parameters in young adults.

Simper, Trevor; Gilmartin, Molly; Allwood, Daniel; Taylor, Luke; Chappell, Andrew

Authors

Trevor Simper

Molly Gilmartin

Daniel Allwood

Luke Taylor

Andrew Chappell



Abstract

Background: Concentrated cherry juice reportedly contains melatonin which, in turn, has been highlighted as an important regulator in initiating sleep. Aim: The present investigation aims to clarify whether Night Time Recharge (NTR), a marketed sleep aid containing cherry extract, improves key sleep parameters in young, active adults with mildly poor sleep. Methods: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over study design was employed. Twenty participants (nine female) consumed either NTR or a placebo for seven days. Accelerometers were used to assess sleep quality and physical activity levels. Urinary levels of 6-sulphatoxymelatonin (6-SMT), a marker of melatonin synthesis, was assessed via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: 6-SMT levels increased following NTR treatment (28.95 ng/ml) compared with placebo (4.0 ng/ml) (p < 0.001). There was also a significant difference (p = 0.047) in dietary tryptophan consumption during the NTR treatment (1236 mg) versus placebo (1149 mg). No trace of melatonin was detected from our analysis of the supplement. NTR had no significant effect on any sleep parameters with the exception of sleep latency (p = 0.001). Conclusions: As chemical analysis of NTR by liquid-chromatography mass-spectrometry identified no detectable melatonin, the tryptophan content of the supplement is a likely reason for improvement in sleep latency. These results are in contrast to previous studies which have found a positive effect on sleep following cherry supplementation. Future work should focus on sleep latency and investigating whether cherry juice is effective in participants with problems in initiating sleep.

Citation

SIMPER, T., GILMARTIN, M., ALLWOOD, D., TAYLOR, L. and CHAPPELL, A. 2019. The effects of a sleep/recovery supplement: 'night time recharge' on sleep parameters in young adults. Nutrition and health [online], 25(4), pages 265-274. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1177/0260106019875911

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Sep 12, 2019
Online Publication Date Sep 12, 2019
Publication Date Dec 1, 2019
Deposit Date Nov 4, 2019
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Nutrition and Health
Print ISSN 0260-1060
Electronic ISSN 2047-945X
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 25
Issue 4
Pages 265-274
DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/0260106019875911
Keywords Night time recharge; Supplement; GENEActiv; Melatonin; Tryptophan; Sleep
Public URL https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/568136

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